Lives of Kings by Lucy Leiderman Page A

Seth’s hand just to keep from falling over. It was like the sped-up movie Kian had pulled out of my head when he first kidnapped me, but now I was at the centre of it. Through past Gwen’s eyes I saw my life from young girl to grown woman, and for the first time I could see how Seth was an integral part of it.
    I saw us playing as children and showing the first signs of magic. I witnessed us getting in trouble for using magic and scaring the elders. We pushed our limits and were always together. I saw the old man I knew to be Seth’s father. His crown was silver. I met the others in our tribe with magic. The two dark-haired women I had seen holding each other and crying now sat together, brushing the hair of the little girls. I saw the lives of Garrison and Moira. Others — a stout boy, thin girl, and boy with a long braid, were intertwined with our lives.
    In instants, or what could have been years, we grew. There was a reason Seth was to marry Moira, but I didn’t know what it was. The two women appeared again, happy with the union, and I realized they were sisters. People came and paid tribute to the king, leaving gifts.
    The magicians came, and I nearly lost my balance in shock. The same men who had hunted us in this world laid gifts at the king’s feet. Kian was a baby, and they each placed a kiss on his forehead. They bowed to Seth.
    The king made a marriage for me, but I wasn’t happy. The sight of my past husband still made my heart beat faster. I hadn’t forgotten that my memory of him became too real and attacked me. I had killed him, or at least tried to. In these memories, though, he was kinder, trying to win my attention. I wasn’t interested. I could never give up the bond I had with Seth — not for anyone.
    Years passed. Life turned hard. Kian grew. The others had their own lives to lead, and we didn’t see each other as much. The only time I felt happiness was when I was with Seth. The Romans came. The king made hard choices and Seth wore their uniform. People began to disappear. Everyone was nervous. Bodies worked to death would appear. War was on the horizon, but not with the army to the south.
    Then familiar memories floated passed us, as if our lives had been rivers, and we stood as stones. Battles, war. The seven of us who had magic were reunited, though tensions grew between Seth and Moira. She was angry and bitter, just like my own husband. Still, I felt pride in fighting alongside my own kind and using my magic.
    We moved the earth — we were more powerful than any enemy. But the magicians had more bodies, more slaves, and caused more death than we could imagine. We called them by another name. Godelan. It stuck in my throat as if my past hated it as much as my present. I saw the battle where we were too late, then the king’s decision for us to follow the Godelan, and then the fire and ritual that ended our lives.

Chapter Four
    A s Kian walked farther into the woods after the strange Godel, he tried to hush all of his protesting instincts. His heart wasn’t settled about the deal he had made with the man from the enemy tribe. Still, Kian had to admit he had a point. The Godelan who caused his tribe’s warriors to sacrifice themselves were dead. And the Romans had slaves, too.
    If this man could lead him to his brother and the other warriors, then he had to try. The Riada needed their champions back.
    â€œWhere are we going?” Kian asked after an hour of walking. “My uncle will be looking for me soon.”
    â€œYes,” the man replied. “But he will not find you.”
    Kian stopped suddenly. He had agreed to go with the Godel, not leave with him forever. The man turned around, eyes wide as if surprised at Kian’s reaction.
    â€œYou have enchanted these woods!” Kian accused. “I cannot run away. My tribe will think I am dead. Or worse, a coward.” He nearly stomped his foot in frustration, berating